After suffering several raids from the Lombards between 570 and 575, the Frankish King Guntram of Burgundy (r. 561-593) decided to take preventative action...
This painting, by the French artist Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (c. 1725–1805), tells the story of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar’s, reaction upon his learning of...
This painting, by the French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme (c. 1824-1904), depicts the assassination of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar, on the Ides of March...
Jonathan Swift (c. 1667-1745)
"Sometimes a war is entered upon, because the enemy is too strong, and sometimes because he is too weak. Sometimes our...
This illustration, by the Italian artist Bartolomeo Pinelli (c. 1781-1835), depicts Julius Caesar’s famous crossing of the Rubicon—a small stream that, in Caesar’s day,...
Sun Tzu (sayings recorded between 6th-3rd century BCE)
"With an understanding of
Weakness and
Strength,
An army
Can strike
Like a millstone
Cast at an egg."
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War...
Semiramis was a legendary and mythologized figure whose tales likely were built around the historical Assyrian Queen Sammu-Ramat, who held power as a regent...
This painting, by the French artist Nicolas Poussin (c. 1594–1665), illustrates a tale about the Greek mythological figure, Orion. In the prelude to this...
Tacitus (c. 56-117+)
"Apprehension and terror are weak bonds of affection; just break them, and, where fear has ended, hatred will begin."
Tacitus wrote this quote...
Saint Eparchius was an influential 6th-century priest from the region of Pèrigueux, France. He eventually moved to Angoulême, where, for a time, he lived...
Thucydides (c. 460-400 BCE) was an Athenian general and historian who lived through the Peloponnesian War (c. 431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. He...
This painting, by the French artist Nicolas Poussin (c. 1594–1665), illustrates a tale about the Greek mythological figure, Orion. In the prelude to this...
This illustration, created by the Dutch engraver Jacob de Gheyn III (c. 1596-1641), depicts the ancient Greco-Roman sea-god, Triton. Although not as powerful as...
This painting, created by the Italian artist Giovanni Francesco Romanelli (c. 1610-1662), was inspired by the tragic myth of Polyxena. She was the daughter...
This painting, by the French artist Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (c. 1725–1805), tells the story of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar’s, reaction upon his learning of...
This painting, by the French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme (c. 1824-1904), depicts the assassination of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar, on the Ides of March...
Jonathan Swift (c. 1667-1745)
"I dare engage, these creatures have their titles and distinctions of honour; they contrive little nests and burrows, that they call...
This painting was created by the American artist, Tompkins Harrison Matteson (c. 1813–1884), and is housed within the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts....
Margery Kempe (c. 1373-1439+)
"It is a pity that money should succeed before truth."
The Book of Margery Kempe (Book 1, chapter 25), dictated by Margery...
This illustration, created by the German artist Joseph Martin Kronheim (c. 1810–1896), depicts the final moments of King Edward the Martyr of England, who...
After suffering several raids from the Lombards between 570 and 575, the Frankish King Guntram of Burgundy (r. 561-593) decided to take preventative action...
This painting, by the French artist Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée (c. 1725–1805), tells the story of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar’s, reaction upon his learning of...
Semiramis was a legendary and mythologized figure whose tales likely were built around the historical Assyrian Queen Sammu-Ramat, who held power as a regent...
This painting, by the French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme (c. 1824-1904), depicts the assassination of the Roman dictator, Julius Caesar, on the Ides of March...
This painting, by the French artist Nicolas Poussin (c. 1594–1665), illustrates a tale about the Greek mythological figure, Orion. In the prelude to this...
Virgil (c. 70-19 BCE)
"Since Fortune's got the upper hand,
let's follow her where she calls and change course."
From The Aeneid (Book V) by Virgil, translated...
